The New Ship

Chapter 8

Grace immediately sensed that Mike was in a sour mood. His body language was off and he seemed overly protective of her. She could hold her own and he knew it. And his friends seemed odd around her. Almost like she was the unwelcome third party. The only ones who were semi-welcoming was Russ Jeter and Sasha Cooper. Kara Greene was also friendly.

She had noticed the Sunday before that he had taken his wedding band off. She had done the same awhile back and it was a painful rite of passage and her marriage had been a mess. Mike's was supposedly a happy marriage.

Thankfully, the ship was officially named so they could date publicly. Mike had to entertain his friends so he had little time for her, other than holding her hand. Once they had all walked away to get lunch, he gave her a long kiss.

"You could get lunch with us?" Mike suggested.

"I can't today. I have paperwork and I kind of think I would be like a wet blanket. I don't think your friends approve of us." Grace remarked.

"I really don't give a damn if they do or don't." Mike said. It surprised Grace.

"Mike, you've been through hell with those people. They are allowed their opinions, and they seem very protective of you." Grace told him. They were in her office alone, but she was still surprised when he gave her a very passionate kiss. Far more passionate than any others they had shared. "Where'd that come from?" Grace asked.

"Do the kids have anything tonight?" Mike asked.

"No. This is the one night of the week that they don't have a practice." Grace answered.

"You probably want to be home with them." Mike remarked.

"Mike…what's going on? I don't mind you kissing me like that but it was out of character." Grace asked.

"Its…my twenty-fifth anniversary with Christine. We were supposed to go to Hawaii for our twenty-fifth. Christine had these lists of things we were supposed to do on certain occasions." Mike answered.

"Ah." Grace said. She and Kent didn't make those sort of plans.

"I suppose I didn't want to be alone." Mike admitted.

"You are more than welcome to come over to the house. I promised the kids pancakes and a game night. I know its probably not what you want but you are welcome. Pajamas required." Grace said.

"I…don't have pajamas." Mike remarked with a sheepish smile.

"What do you sleep in?" Grace said. Mike wrapped his arms around her and whispered in her ear.

"In the buff." Mike admitted.

"Well, pick up a pair of pajama pants and bring a t-shirt. We are strictly PG in my house…around the kids." Grace ordered. Mike gave her another kiss and nodded.

"I'll be there around dinner time. I need to run to Norfolk. Are sunflowers in season?" Mike asked.

"For her grave? I think so." Grace answered.

"Yeah. She loved sunflowers." Mike said.

"They are pretty. Have a safe trip." Grace replied. She gave Mike another kiss.

"Have a good day." Mike said.

Work was a slog. Grace was shocked that Mike wanted to spend the evening with her and the kids while his friends were all there. Maybe the company was better.

True to Mike's word, he walked in right before dinner time. He changed into a pair of pajama pants and a t-shirt and ate dinner with them. He didn't seem to mind the pancakes and was talkative enough with the kids. But Grace could tell Mike was sad.

They played a round of Monopoly and then Candy Land at Liv's request. Mike was shockingly okay with it and even helped get Liv settled down for bed. He helped Eli with homework and then helped Grace clean up. Finally, once Eli went to bed, Grace decided to just invite Mike to stay the night.

"My guess is—you really are not wanting to go home. Being alone worries you tonight, right?" Grace asked.

"I suppose so." Mike admitted.

"So, stay here. And I do not say that lightly." Grace said, before pointing up to the second floor.

"I do care about you and those kids. Nothing has to happen." Mike said.

"No, it doesn't, but it probably will. We just have to be mindful of the kids." Grace answered before giving Mike a kiss.

"Upstairs?" Mike suggested.

"Yeah. Let me shut everything down." Grace answered before they went around and shut lights off and unplugged the small appliances. She led Mike upstairs to the primary bedroom. It was a pretty, feminine room and was Grace's sanctuary. Since she was no longer married, she could decorate her bedroom as she wished.

"Nice room." Mike said as he looked around.

"If you like florals." Grace laughed. Mike chuckled in response.

"So…when the kids were small, Christine was terrified of them walking in while we were having sex. She always made me lock the door." Mike remarked as he picked at his hand. She could tell he was nervous.

"I locked it behind you. I don't trust that Liv won't." Grace answered.

"Are you sure about this?" Mike asked.

"I am, if you are. It is your twenty-fifty anniversary with a woman you still adore. We can just sleep and you wouldn't be alone." Grace said.

"I honestly don't know what I want." Mike admitted.

"How about we just lay down and try to sleep? If we have sex later, its fine. If nothing else, it will break the ice?" Grace suggested.

"That sounds good." Mike answered. She pointed at the bathroom door.

"Bathroom is right there." Grace said.

"I did bring a bag. I'll brush my teeth." Mike said as he grabbed a toiletry bag and walked into the bathroom. While he did that, Grace turned the bed down and set the alarm.

"Now, reportedly, I do hog the blankets, but Liv is the reporter so who knows." Grace warned. Mike settled next to her and laughed.

"If you do, its okay. I'm hot natured." Mike said.

"Good to know." Grace said. She gave Mike a kiss and smiled at how comfortable he seemed. While it wasn't how she planned, she understood. Within five minutes of her shutting the light off, Mike was sound asleep and she was lulled to sleep by the sound of his breathing.